Duke expects Foxx to be ready for opener

Published: Friday, August 23, 2013 at 12:27 AM.

DURHAM — Duke should have defensive end Justin Foxx, who underwent knee surgery Jan. 7, available for the Aug. 31 opener against North Carolina Central.

Coach David Cutcliffe said Thursday that Foxx has progressed from the surgery at a best-case rate, giving the fifth-year player a chance to make an impact at the start of the season.

“Justin Foxx has made some nice progress and he has gotten some scrimmage work,” Cutcliffe said. “He has been full speed. … He had a great day rushing the passer in a third-down drill.”

Fox started in seven of the nine games in which he played last season after making 11 starts in 2011. Cutcliffe said it’s important to monitor Foxx so that he’s worked into the game plan at a tempered pace.

“He looks ready to play,” he said. “The thing now is his conditioning level, just to play football.”

The news wasn’t so encouraging for defensive end Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo, who’s recovering from ankle surgery May 22. He won’t be available for the N.C. Central game.

But that’s no surprise for Cutcliffe. He said the coaching staff is encouraged by his rehabilitation, but having DeWalt-Ondijo available at the start of the season wasn’t a realistic goal. The redshirt junior has started a total of nine games across the past two seasons.

DURHAM — Duke should have defensive end Justin Foxx, who underwent knee surgery Jan. 7, available for the Aug. 31 opener against North Carolina Central.

Coach David Cutcliffe said Thursday that Foxx has progressed from the surgery at a best-case rate, giving the fifth-year player a chance to make an impact at the start of the season.

“Justin Foxx has made some nice progress and he has gotten some scrimmage work,” Cutcliffe said. “He has been full speed. … He had a great day rushing the passer in a third-down drill.”

Fox started in seven of the nine games in which he played last season after making 11 starts in 2011. Cutcliffe said it’s important to monitor Foxx so that he’s worked into the game plan at a tempered pace.

“He looks ready to play,” he said. “The thing now is his conditioning level, just to play football.”

The news wasn’t so encouraging for defensive end Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo, who’s recovering from ankle surgery May 22. He won’t be available for the N.C. Central game.

But that’s no surprise for Cutcliffe. He said the coaching staff is encouraged by his rehabilitation, but having DeWalt-Ondijo available at the start of the season wasn’t a realistic goal. The redshirt junior has started a total of nine games across the past two seasons.

■ Cutcliffe said walk-on defensive back Hud Mellencamp, the son of rocker John Mellencamp, will continue to practice with the team while legal proceedings unfold in Indiana.

Cutcliffe said he assessed the situation, which involves felony battery charges, and determined that the player, who was released on bond earlier this week, should remain in team workouts. Hud Mellencamp, 19, is charged with punching and kicking a 19-year-old man last month in Bloomington, Ind.